SPECIAL UPDATE : 1 January 2000  'NEW MILLENNIUM'
A special tree-planting & dedication event held to celebrate the first day of 2000AD has proved an outstanding success. Our regular volunteers, plus visitors, worked non-stop all afternoon to help members of the public from both near and far plant and dedicate trees in their names as part of the wildlife hedgerow, sponsored by the Forest of Bradford. When completed, the hedge will consist of 1000 trees symbolising the 1000 years of a millennium, and will be a wildlife haven linking up all parts of the Darwin Gardens site.

The Trust has received a 'Christmas present' in the shape of a £50 donation from All Saints Parish Church. This will be directed towards erection of the monument to the Christian Millennium, planned to occupy a site beside one portal of the Millennium Maze.

Jean Stockham, a talented artist with strong local connections, has been selected to construct a large plaque bearing a likeness of Charles Darwin, which is planned to be mounted on a boulder within the site. Jean lived and worked in Ilkley for many years until 1993 and will be remembered by many as a lively former tenant of White Wells. 'The Wells' overlook the site of Darwin Gardens from the slopes of Ilkley Moor, and the spa bath there would have been used by Darwin as part of his hydropathic treatment.

It may be possible to use a boulder from the moor for the base of the monument, which will be located within sight of 'North View' on Crossbeck Road - the house which Darwin and his family occupied during his stay in Ilkley. The monument, to be entitled 'Darwin's View' will commemorate the first publication of his book 'The Origin of Species', an epoch-making event which took place whilst the world-famous naturalist stayed here.

Ilkley's Millennium Scheme at Darwin Gardens could become a Millennium Green if the trustees' ongoing application to the Countryside Agency reaches a successful outcome. Acceptance onto the Millennium Greens programme would substantially boost the project, by attracting funds distributed by the Millennium Commission from National Lottery income, and would also confer nationally recognised status to the scheme. By providing match-funding, the generosity of our other donors and the efforts of our volunteer work parties could be significantly rewarded by the Countryside Agency, and allow completion of the entire project within the next two years. The Darwin Gardens Trust are giving this important opportunity top priority to start off the New Millennium, and hopes are high that our application will be successful.

We welcome all sections of our community - individuals, businesses, schools and societies, to become involved in this unique opportunity to commemorate the Millennium in Ilkley.

LATEST HOT NEWS 20th January 2000

DO drop in/out at Darwin Gardens in the next few days:

Note this green letter date in your diary! - our official opening will be on 24th June 2000

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